Economic evaluation and survival analysis of immunoglobulin adsorption in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a life-threatening heart disease and a major reason for heart transplantations. The medical efficacy of immunoadsorption (IA) for DCM patients has been demonstrated in initial clinical studies. This prospective matched-case control study examined 5-year survival rates, direct medical costs, and cost-effectiveness in Germany (n=34) from a health-care system perspective. In a cost-effectiveness analysis costs per life year gained were calculated. Patients treated with IA showed a greater survival rate: 5-year survival rate in the intervention group was 82% vs. 41% in controls. Log rank statistics after Kaplan-Meier analysis of cumulated survival probability were highly significant. Initial intervention costs for IA were found to be €28,400 per patient treated. Direct medical costs for a 5-year follow-up were €128,600 per patient treated with IA and €75,500 in controls. Considering only the actual survival time we calculated annual treatment costs of €24,900 in the IA group and €28,900 in controls. The cost-effectiveness ratio expressed in costs per life year gained was €34,400. This is the first controlled study to perform 5-year survival analysis and economic evaluation of this new emerging technology for patients with DCM. Although high initial treatment costs for IA are incurred, the significantly better survival rates lead to reasonable costs per live year gained.